Community

Sertoma Arts Center

Office of Raleigh Arts

Last updated Feb. 13, 2018 - 1:43 pm

Located in the heart of Shelley Lake Park, Sertoma Arts Center is a fun, creative destination for all ages, offering classes and workshops in painting, drawing, photography, pottery, performing arts, and more, along with exhibitions, studio spaces, group support, and community outreach. Sertoma's outreach partners include the North Carolina Arts Council and Wake County Public Schools.

Sertoma Arts Center is part of a
learning community of 11 arts organizations that collaborate to advocate
for and improve access to the arts for people with disabilities. This
collective is funded in part by the City of Raleigh Arts Commission and the
United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County.

Call for Artists

Designed to serve as one of the City of Raleigh’s community exhibition spaces, Sertoma Arts Center’s Gallery Program has introduced hundreds of artists to area residents and visitors.

Mission

Our Gallery Program showcases a broad spectrum of visual arts, featuring works by Sertoma Arts Center students and staff along with local, regional and internationally acclaimed artists. With the goal of providing a meaningful educational experience for people of all ages and backgrounds, our exhibits inspire, enlighten and enhance the cultural environment of our community.

Gallery/Exhibit Program

Sertoma showcases emerging artists living and/or working in and around Wake County,
along with special themed exhibits such as National Youth Arts Month, the Paint
Your heART Out scholarship fundraiser, the Sertoma Student/Instructor/Patron
exhibit, and Sertoma's co-sponsored artist group exhibits. Artists working in
2D and 3D are encouraged to apply. This is a family friendly facility - please bear
this in mind when submitting exhibit requests.

Raleigh Room The Raleigh Room gallery is our largest exhibit space, located in a multipurpose room on the main floor.

Hallway Space The Hallway gallery is located on the main floor and runs through the center of the facility.

Display Cases Glass display cases with four non-adjustable glass shelves are located on the main floor. The front desk display case offers adjustable shelves.

Pottery

All clay must be purchased from Sertoma. Glaze and two firings are included in the price for studio card holders and students. There is a small charge for additional firings. Glazes must be approved.

Studio Information

Spacious work studio with more than a dozen wheels

Separate work areas for glazing, handbuilding and wheel throwing

Slab roller and extruder

Regular firing of electric kilns, with Cone 6 Oxidation electric firing the primary method. A Cone 10 gas kiln is fired approximately once a month. Works are fired in seven to 14 days.

On-site store with a selection of tools and clay for registered students and studio card holders

Pottery Studio & Calendar

Raleigh residents and non-residents can participate in our
pottery programs either by taking classes or by purchasing a studio card that
will allow them to work independently when classes are not in session.
Participants are eligible to purchase a studio card after they have completed a
qualifying class.

Pottery studio card
holders and students currently enrolled in pottery classes have access to tools
and equipment in the pottery studio during open studio time. The studio is open
for use by studio card holders and current pottery students any time during our
normal hours of operation when classes are not in the studio. Our Google Studio
calendar identifies when classes are using the studio.

As a reminder, if
there are two classes taking place simultaneously in the studio, the entire studio is closed.

Mat Cutting

Mat cutting orientation
class is required to gain access to the mat studio for personal use. For a quarterly fee, studio may
be used when classes are not taking place.

Performing and Movement Arts

Sertoma offers a wide range of experiences for beginner through advanced students in dance, music, theater, yoga and exercise.

Studio Information

Large open space

Upright piano

Surround sound system with CD, MP3 ,and microphone hook-up

Theater lighting system

Rotating gallery exhibit on walls

Youth and Teen Programs

From
preschool through teens, art in all its forms is a wonderful way for children
to grow, cognitively and expressively. Young artists can explore their
creativity in a fun, inclusive environment instructed by nurturing professional
artists. Sertoma offers a wide variety of classes and workshops ranging from performing arts to clay, painting,
creative movement and more. Most materials are included with course enrollment.

Program Information

Summer visual and performing arts programs

Mom and Me classes

Teens are eligible to register for many adult programs in addition to teen programs. Check age requirements for adult classes before registering.

History

In the late 1970s, Dorothy Elwood and the Citizens Advisory Council spearheaded a survey committee to find out what type of community center Raleigh residents needed. The results pointed overwhelming to a second community arts center. At the time, the Pullen Arts Center was the City of Raleigh's only arts-focused center and was running over capacity. In April 1979, the City of Raleigh Parks and Recreation Department opened the doors to the brand new Sertoma Arts Center. "Sertoma" stands for Service to Mankind.

"Good art is not what it looks like, but what it does to us." - Roy Adzak